Table games coming soon?

From the Queens Chronicle:

When the racino at Aqueduct Race Track in South Ozone Park opens this fall, it will have video lottery terminals for its patrons to play — but table games could eventually be available as well.

Gov. Cuomo said at a news conference in Albany last week he is considering legalizing commercial, non-Indian casinos in New York. Aqueduct’s Resorts World New York City racino is already legal because it has electronic slot machines but not the more lucrative table games.

Cuomo noted that New Yorkers also will gamble in other states, such as New Jersey.

“It’s happening,” he said of gaming coming here.

Cuomo’s support will almost certainly bolster lobbying efforts by Genting — the group that will run the Aqueduct casino — to get state legislators to permit table games at its facility, scheduled to open in October. According to media reports, Genting is spending $1 million a year with lobbyists in Albany on this effort.

The State Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee is considering a proposal for a constitutional amendment to permit table games and has scheduled hearings on the subject for this fall.

Current law only authorizes the Aqueduct casino to have VLTs, and a constitutional amendment would be required for table games.